Package forming apparatus

ABSTRACT

A packaging machine comprising: a tube forming section; a grouping section; a separating section and a sealing section. In the tube forming section, a tube of packaging material, preferably a shrink film, is formed. The tube then moves downwardly through the remaining sections of the machine. Articles to be packaged within the tube of packaging material are fed to the top of said machine and are allowed to travel downwardly aided by the action of gravity into said tube. With the articles thus positioned within said tube, they are grouped into an arrangement suitable for packaging. The groups thus formed travel downwardly aided by the action of gravity into the separating section and are separated within the tube by a distance sufficient to afford adequate packaging material for tucking at each end of the respective groups. With said material thus tucked at each end, the packaging material is secured in place to thereby form a package. In a preferred embodiment, the material is secured in place by the shrinking thereof.

United States Patent Sherman [451 May 23,1972

[ PACKAGE FORMING APPARATUS [57] ABSTRACT [72] Inventor: Earle C. Sherman, Monroe, L A packaging machine comprising: a tube forming section; a grouping section; a separating section and a sealing section. In [73] Asslgnee' 01mm the tube forming section, a tube of packaging material, [22] Filed: June 23, 1970 preferably a shrink film, is formed The tube then moves downwardly through the remaining sections of the machine. [21] Appl' 48963 Articles to be packaged within the tube of packaging material are fed to the top of said machine and are allowed to travel [52] US. Cl ..53/180, 53/48, 53/ l 84 wnwardly aided by the action of gravity into said tube. With [51] Int. Cl t ..B65b 9/06 the articles thus positioned within said tube, they are grouped [58] held of Search ..53/ 180, 184, 48 into an arrangement suitable for packaging. The groups thus formed travel downwardly aided by the action of gravity into [56] References Cited the separating section and are separated within the tube by a m TE distance sufiicient to afibrd adequate packaging material for D STATES PATENTS tucking at each end of the respective groups With said materi- 3,325,966 6/1967 Bruce et al ..53/48 X 1 thus tucked at each n the p g ng m r is secured 3,381,443 5/1968 Copping in place to thereby form a package. In a preferred embodi- 3,431,83 1 3/1969 McGill et a1. ment, the material is secured in place by the shrinking thereof. 3,457,695 7/1969 McCollough ..53/30 3,572,004 3/1971 Carmichael ..53/48 13 Claims, 13 Drawing Flgms Primary Examiner-Travis S. McGehee Attomey-N. E. Von Behren Patented May 23, 1972 3,664,088

' 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 JlL b INVENTOR 5 L 4 54/245 6'. SHERMAN BY J w ATTORNEY Patented May 23, 1972 3,664,088

6 Sheets-Sheet [ILA n n INVENTOR 21245 c'. SHAW/vii ATTORNEY Paten ted May 23, 1972 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR 2124 E dSA FMA/V ATTORNEY Patented May 23, 1972 3,664,088

6 Sheets-Sheet 4 7i 4b. i5

BY K

/0 4y TTORNEY Patented May 23, 1972 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 M RWM 0:. A E M m E a o W m Patented May 23, 1972 6 Sheets-Sheet G INVENTOR 51a: Cf 62 17/144 )Zflg A ORNEY BACKGROUND This invention relates to a packaging apparatus. More particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus for forming a package about one or more articles from a sheet of flexible wrapping material.

It is, of course, well known in the prior art to use polymeric films, which films may be either shrinkable or nonshrinkable and oriented or unoriented, in the packaging field. It is also known in the prior art that advantages are sometimes associated with the use of these films in the packaging of various commodities when compared with previously used materials for packaging the same commodities. Depending principally upon the particular commodity packaged and the method and film used for packaging the same, these advantages range from economic advantages to improved quality and performance.

Notwithstanding the wide spread use of polymeric films in the packaging industry, generally, and the advantages associated therewith, the use of polymeric films as a packaging material in the beverage industry, especially soft drinks, beer and wine, has not been widely accepted. A principal reason for this want of acceptance is that the prior art machines designed for forming a package with a polymeric film about bottles and cans have not been completely acceptable. In this regard, it should be noted that several machines for forming packages with polymeric films are known in the prior art. Theses machines are, however, designed for horizontal operation and range in length from about 30 to about 50 and sometimes range to even greater lengths. Due to the floor space required by such a machine, they cannot be readily adapted to use in existing bottling and canning facilities. Moreover, and not withstanding the relatively long length of these machines, they have not demonstrated a capacity for operating at relatively high packaging speeds. In this regard, it should be noted that even though the length of these machines ranges from about two to about three times that of the prior art machines for forming a wrap-around carrier with paperboard, their speeds are, at best, equivalent. Further, due to the fact that the beverage containers must be filled while traveling in a horizontal direction, difficulties have been encountered in transferring the containers from the conveyor and into a tube formed with a plastic material. This problem is particularly acute when films having a high coefficient of friction are used, which film must pass over a nonmoving metal surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved apparatus for forming packages with flexible packaging materials. Another object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for forming packages with polymeric materials suitable for use in the packaging of beverages. Still another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for forming packages with polymeric film which requires a reduced amount of floor space and which allows the package to travel downwardly aided by the action of gravity. Yet a further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for forming packages which is capable of relatively high speed operation. A still further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for forming packages with polymeric film having a reduced amount of frictional force exerted on said polymeric film. These and other objects and advantages will be apparent from the description hereinafter set forth and the accompanying drawings.

In accordance with the present invention, the foregoing and other objects are accomplished with an apparatus comprising a tube forming section, a grouping section, a separating section and a sealing section, which sections are disposed at an angle relative to a fixed horizontal plane. The angle of disposition can vary over a relatively broad range, but will, in all cases, be sufiicient to permit the articles to be packaged to travel downwardly aided by the action of gravity into a tube formed from the packaging material at a speed at least equal to the rate at which the articles are being packaged.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagramatic view, in perspective and with certain detail omitted for purposes of clarity, illustrating, sequentially and functionally, the packaging operation as accomplished with an apparatus within the scope of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of an apparatus within the scope of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of an apparatus within the scope of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is an enlarged partial front elevation, partly broken away and with certain detail omitted for purposes of clarity, showing the tubing section and a portion of the grouping section in greater detail and with articles positioned therein;

FIG. 4B is a corresponding enlarged partial front elevation partially broken away and with certain detail omitted for purposes of clarity, showing that portion of the grouping section not shown in FIG. 4A, the separating section and the final transfer section in greater detail and with articles positioned therein;

FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view cut across the tubing section and along lines 5-5 as shown in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 6 is also a horizontal sectional view taken from the tuber section and cut along lines 6-6 as shown in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, horizontal sectional view cut in the tubing section and taken along lines 7--7 as shown in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 8 is a horizontal sectional view taken in the grouping section and out along lines 8-8 as shown in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, vertical section, with certain detail omitted for purposes of clarity, taken in the tubing section and cut along lines 99 as shown in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, vertical section taken in the separating section and the final transfer section and cut along lines 1010 in FIG. 48;

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, horizontal section taken near the transfer point between the grouping and separating sections and cut along lines 1 1-l 1 as shown in FIGS. 48 and 10; and

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary, horizontal sectional view taken across the lower set of cutting elements and cut along lines 12-12 in FIG. 4B and 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As is illustrated in FIG. 1, the present invention relates, generally, to the packaging of containers, particularly cans, and similar articles in a flexible packaging material. This is accomplished by feeding a stream of articles I downwardly and into a tube 2 of packaging material, which tube is formed from a continuous sheet 3 of said material. With the articles 1 disposed within the tube 2, they are then grouped and separated into a pre-determined number about which the package is ultimately formed. Once the articles to be packaged are within the tube, the tube may be cut to the desired length and the ends thereof folded and secured at each end of the package. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. I, the final package 5 contains six articles in a two-by-three arrangement.

In general, any flexible packaging material which can be formed into a tubular structure can be processed on the apparatus of the present invention. The polymeric films, and especially those exhibiting good shrink characteristics and known in the art as shrink films are best suited to use on the apparatus of the present invention, and hence, are preferred. In a most preferred mode of operation the film 3 will be a clear shrink film and said film will be secured in place about the groups of articles by the shrinking of said film. The necessary shrinking can be accomplished with any one of several known means such as a shrink tunnel 4.

The various components of the apparatus of this invention and the manner in which they cooperate to form a package from a polymeric film is most clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Referring then to FIGS. 2 and 3, there is shown a side and front elevation of a complete apparatus within the scope of the present invention. As can be seen in the figures, the apparatus comprises: a tube forming section 6 wherein a continuous tube of packaging material is formed; a grouping section 7 wherein the articles to be packaged are grouped; a separating section 8 wherein these groups are separated by a distance sufficient to provide the necessary film for overlapping the ends of each package; and a sealing section 9 wherein the film free-ends are folded inwardly and conveyed to sealing means 4; and drive means 10 for driving the moving components thereof. As can also be seen in these figures, the various sections of the apparatus are disposed vertically and are suitably aligned such that the articles to be packaged can pass successively through the various stages downwardly aided by the action of gravity. The apparatus is supported on a suitable frame 11, which frame comprises vertically extending members 12-12 and vertical member extensions 1313.

The tubing section 6 comprises an article feed chute or sleeve 14 and a tube forming mandrel 15. A tube sealing means 16 is also conveniently located in the tubing section; however, it should be noted that this location is not critical and that the tube sealing means could be positioned at any point along the apparatus after the tube is formed and before the tube is finally cut. A tension roller 17 is also positioned in the tube forming section 6 and below the tube sealing means 16 for purposes of securely holding the overlapping end margins of the film 3 in place during the sealing operation and to facilitate smooth, wrinkle-free movement of the tube. The roller 17 may be free rolling, as illustrated, or driven at a speed synchronized with the movement of the grouping, separating and sealing section components. Obviously, several rollers might be used at various points in the apparatus to facilitate movement of the tube. Film folding panels 1818 which extend outwardly from the back side of the tube forming mandrel are also provided.

The tube forming mandrel 15 is a hollow, generally tubular structure. The geometrical configuration of the mandrel is, of course, not critical, however, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the periphery, in cross section, will define a shape corresponding generally to the shape of the articles, in cross section, which are being packaged. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, and as can best be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the tube forming mandrel is closed on three sides and has overlapping, but offset, tube forming panels on the fourth or front side. For reasons that will be more apparent from the disclosure set forth hereinafter, it is essential that these latter panels be offset so as to permit the margins or sides of the film 3 to overlap in a uniform wrinkle-free manner.

It should be noted that the tops of the various panels, except for the back panel 19, and including the film folding panels 18-18, are sloped so as to facilitate tube formation. In this regard, and as can best be seen in FIG. 1, the top edges 20 and 21 of side panels 22 and 23, respectively, slope downwardly from a maximum height at the top of back panel 19 reaching a minimum elevation at their respective intersections with the top edges 24 and 25 of front panels 26 and 27, respectively. As can also best be seen in FIG. 1, the tops of front panels 26 and 27 slope downwardly toward the center at substantially the same angle as the tops of side panels 22 and 23. Similarly, the top edges 2828 of film folding panels 18-18 slope downwardly from a maximum elevation at the point of intersection with the top of back panel 19 to a minimum elevation at the outer edges of each of said panels. As illustrated, the sloping top edges of all sloping panels extend downwardly at the same angle, and in fact, the top edges 24 and 25 of front panels 26 and 27 are defined by a continuation of the slope of the top edges 20 and 21 of respective side panels 22 and 23. That all angles be the same is not, however, essential to the present invention. Moreover, essentially any angle between 0 and 90 formed by the top edges of the various panels and a plane extending vertically through said panels would be operable. It will be appreciated, however, that an angle of 0 would not, per se, be operable since the height of the tubing section would approach infinity as these angles approached 0. For this reason, it is advantageous to employ as large an angle as possible while at the same time maintaining smooth, wrinklefree tube formation. On the opposite end of the scale, smooth, wrinkle-free tube formation cannot be attained at an angle of For this reason, it is advantageous to continuous operation to employ as small an angle as is possible and consistent with an optimum height of the tubing section. Accordingly, it has been found that most effective operation is attained when this angle is within the range of about 30 to about 60, and an optimum balance occurs at about 45. Moreover, it is preferred that the slope of the top edges of the side panels be identical and that this slope be the same as that of the top edges of film support panels 18-18 at corresponding elevations and that the slope of the top edges of the two front panels 26 and 27 also be identical and that the slope of these panels correspond to the slope of the top edges of film folding panels 1818 in the lower portion of said panels. In a most preferred embodiment of this invention, the slope of all panels will be identical.

As can best be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, front panels 26 and 27 overlap and are offset with respect to each other leaving a gap 29 between the overlapping portions of front panels 26 and 27. As will be more apparent from the description hereinafter, this gap permits the margins of the film 3 to overlap and yet move freely through the tube forming mandrel 15 without the formation of wrinkles therein. Also, as can be seen in FIG. 6, as well as FIGS. 1, 4A and 9, the tube sealing means 16 and tension roller 17 extend through a cutout 30 in front panels 26 and 27 to thereby effect sealing of the overlapped margins of the film and to secure said overlapped margins in place during said sealing. In general, any means, such as an adhesive applicator or heat sealer, capable of effecting a seal between the margins and 100 of the packaging material 3 could be employed in the present invention. Heat scaling is, however, preferred, and any of the means known in the prior art for effecting such a seal in a tubing operation could be adapted for use in the present invention. A particularly preferred means for heat sealing the margins 100 and 100 is illustrated generally as 16 in the figures and comprise a wheel-like structure 161 fabricated of a material having a relatively high coefficient of thermal conductivity such as copper and aluminum which is rotatably mounted on a cylinder 163 such that the wheel 161 can be moved into contact with the tube 2 when the apparatus is operating and out of contact with said tube when the apparatus is shutdown". Heat is supplied to the wheel 161 with a heating element 162 which is positioned in close proximity to the wheel 16] at or near the center thereof.

Essentially any means could be used to prevent contact between the articles to be packaged and the tube 2 during its formation on the tube mandrel 15. A thin wall sleeve such as that illustrated as 14 in the figures and having an inside periphery corresponding to that of the articles to be packaged is, however, preferred. As can best be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, one end 31 of the article feed chute extends above the tube forming mandrel 15 while the other end 32 extends below said tube forming mandrel. The overall length of the article feed chute 14 is, of course, not critical to the present invention but it should be of sufficient overall length or height to avoid article contact with the film during the tube formation. It will be appreciated that the closed structure which is illustrated exhibits a distinct advantage in that it permits tube formation in a close proximity to the articles to be packaged without risk of contact therebetween. Moreover, the closed structure facilitates tube formation in that it tends to prevent pleating or wrinkling of the film material as it is pulled through the tube forming mandrel 15. A separating plate 33 is provided on the inside of article feed chute 14 so as to assure a uniform feeding of each row of articles. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, this plate extends throughout the article feed chute 14 with one end (not shown) extending well into the article feed conveyor and the other end 34 extending into the grouping section. In general, the overall length of the separating plate 33 is not critical, but it should be of sufficient length to minimize the possibility of a merger of separate rows of articles when a plurality of such rows is being fed. In this regard, it should be noted that the separating plate could start from any convenient point along the article feed conveyor or even within the feed chute and extend downwardly through the apparatus to a convenient point prior to sealing of the package. Moreover, this plate could be omitted, especially where a minimum clearance is employed between the article feed chute 14, the stream of articles to be packaged 1, and the tube 2.

Essentially any of the means known in the prior art for grouping articles such as chains having lugs suitably positioned thereon, star wheels and sprockets, may be adapted to vertical operation and used in the apparatus of the present invention. In general, at least two such selector chains, star wheels or sprockets will be used with at least one such means disposed on each side of the path 35 of the articles to be packaged. In either case, the means employed will comprise spaced projections which will extend into the stream of articles to be packaged thus defining a separation between adjacent articles with the leading article of such adjacent articles becoming the last article in that row of a given group and with the latter of the two adjacent articles becoming the first in that row of the next successive group. To assure positive separation and to effect a clear resolution of the various groups, it is advantageous to synchronize both speed and location of the several projections located on the separating means which are disposed on opposite sides of the article stream path thereby assuring that corresponding projections will penetrate the stream of articles at the same or nearly the same elevation. It will, of course, be appreciated that some deviation or offsetting could be tolerated but that maximum efficiency will be realized when the movement of each pair of corresponding projections is synchronized throughout its entire path of movement.

For purposes of description, the present invention has been illustrated in the figures through the use of two endless chains having lugs strategically positioned on each of said chains and as can best be seen in FIG. 3, the two chains 36 and 37 are disposed on opposite sides of the path 35 of the articles to be packaged. As illustrated, the chains 36 and 37 are driven with sprockets 38 and 39 which are, in turn, driven by sprocket 40 through shaft 40' with differentials (not shown). Such drive means are not, however, essential to the present invention as other drive means could be employed. Moreover, the weight of the articles to be packaged could be relied upon to drive the chains 36 and 37, especially where the articles being packaged are relatively heavy. In this regard, it should be noted that rate control could be effected through the use of a variable drag means when the downwardly falling articles are used as a drive means. Also, it will be appreciated that to some extent the speed or rate of packaging could be controlled by controlling the angle at which the apparatus is disposed with respect to vertical; however, it would still be advantageous to employ driving or drag means in one or more of the various sections so as to afiord maximum flexibility in operation.

As can best be seen in FIG. 3, each of the endless chains, 36 and 37, are provided with a plurality of lugs 41-41 and 42- 42. As can also be seen in FIG. 3, the path of chains 36 and 37 is defined, in part, by idler pulleys 43 and 44 and 43 and 44', respectively, and, in part, by chain races 45 and 45', respectively. It should be noted, that chain races 45 and 45' are adjustably mounted such that either or both may be moved inwardly or outwardly thereby defining a parameter of the path 35 as well as fixing the depth of penetration of the lugs 41-41 and 42-42 into the stream of articles to be packaged. As can further be seen in H0. 3, the position of lugs 41-41 and 42- 42 and the periphery of endless chains 36 and 37 are synchronized such that for each lug 41 located on chain 36 there is a corresponding lug 42 on chain 37 at the same elevation and in the same relative position on the periphery of said chain. It will, of course, be appreciated that the number of lugs, as well as the overall periphery of either chain could be varied without deviating from the scope of the present invention provided that for each lug in contact with the stream of articles to be packaged there is a corresponding lug disposed on the opposite side of said stream positioned generally at the time elevation. Chains of equal parameter and having an equal number of lugs thereon are, however, preferred since the synchronization thereof is greatly simplified.

Any suitable means such as endless chains, star wheels and sprockets may also be adapted to vertical use and employed in the separating section 8 of the apparatus of the present invention. In this regard, it should be noted that structurally, the separating section is quite similar to the grouping section which has been described, supra. In a preferred embodiment and as illustrated in the Figures, the separating section comprises four endless chains with two chains 46 and 47 disposed on one side of the path 35 of the articles to be packaged and two chains 48 and 49 disposed on the opposite side thereof. Chains 46 and 48 are driven by sprockets 50 and 51, respectively, which are, in turn, driven by sprocket 52 through shaft 89 with differentials (not shown). Similarly, endless chains 47 and 49 are driven by sprockets 50 and 51, respectively, which are, in turn, driven by sprocket 52 through shaft 89. The path of endless chains 46 and 48 is defined, in part, by idler pulleys 53 and 54 and 53 and 54', respectively, and, in part, by chain races 55 and 55, respectively. Similarly, though not clearly shown, the path of chains 47 and 49 is defined in substantially the same manner. In a manner similar to that employed in the grouping section, the chain races 55 and 55, as well as the chain races of the backside chains 47 and 49 which are not shown, are adjustably mounted so as to provide an adjustable parameter of path 35 and such that the depth of penetration of the lugs into the article stream can be varied.

As can best be seen in FIGS. 3 and 10, chains 46 and 47 are provided with spaced lugs 5656 and 57-57. Similarly, and as best be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, chains 48 and 49 are provided with spaced lugs 5858 and 59-59, respectively. For obvious reasons, it is desirable that the speed, spacing and elevation of lugs 5656 and 57-57 be identical as they pass in juxtaposition with respect to the path 35 of the articles to be packaged. Similarly, the speed, spacing and elevation of lugs 5858 and 59-59 should also be substantially identical as these lugs pass in juxtaposition with the path 35 of the articles to be packaged. Moreover, it should be noted that in addition to the synchronization of the lugs on a given side of the article path with each other it is advantageous to synchronize both the speed of movement and elevation as well as spacing of the lugs on both sides of the stream of articles moving through the apparatus. This can, of course, most easily be accomplished through the use of chains having identical peripheries with the lugs placed thereon at identical points along the periphery and then driving the chains at the same speed.

It should be noted that the successive lugs 5656 through 59-59 on chains 46-49 are separated by a greater distance than the successive lugs 41-41 and 42-42 on the separating chains 36 and 37. This added separation does, of course, result in a separation of the grouped articles by this amount. lt follows, that it will be necessary that the lugs on the separating chains 46-49 move at a speed greater than the speed of the lugs on the grouping chains. Such movement at a greater speed can, of course, be provided with any of the means heretofore described with reference to the grouping section including, in the proper case, the downwardly falling articles from the grouping section. It should also be noted that when one chain is used on both sides of the grouping section it will be advantageous, especially with respect to overall configuration, to use two chains on each side of the separating section rather than single chains disposed on opposite sides of the path 35 from the chains in the grouping section. In this regard, it should be noted that the chains in the grouping section are centered with respect to the articles to be packaged, thereby supporting the weight of said articles without tilting thereof. Similarly, it is necessary that the weight of the articles be uniformly distributed on the lugs in the separating section and since a single chain cannot be centered with respect to the articles in this section and on the same side with the chains of the grouping section when the paths of the respective chains overlap, it is necessary to offset two chains, each from the center. This is, perhaps, best illustrated in FIG. 10 where it can be seen that chain 36 is centered with respect to the path 35 with chains 46 and 47 offset with respect to the center of said path. As can also be seen in the Figure, the path of chain 36 extends between the paths of chains 46 and 47.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, rotating knives are disposed on opposite sides of the path 35 of the articles to be packaged, which knives extend across the full width of the tube 2. The movement of these knives, which is effected through chain drives with pulleys 94 and 95 on the one side and pulleys 96 and 97 on the other, is synchronized with the movement of the separating means so as to cut the tube at the mid point of the distance between the separated groups thereby leaving equal amounts of film on both the trailing edge of one group of articles and the leading edge of the next successive group of articles. This is, perhaps, best illustrated in FIG. 10 wherein it can be seen that the rotating motion of knives 60 and 60 will bring the knife blade into contact with the tube 2 at the mid point between successive article groups 610 and 611. In general, any suitable means could be employed to effect the tube cutting; however, rotating heated knives, as illustrated, and rotating hot wires have been found most effective. Also, the required heat can be supplied in any one of several ways such as by fashioning the rotating knives form a material having a high thermal conductivity coefficient and then bringing a resistance heating element in close proximity to the rotating knife or by constructing the rotating wire of a high resistance material and then passing an electrical current through same. It should be noted, however, that such devices are known in the prior art and their structure and method of operation forms no part of the present invention.

As can best be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sealing section 9 comprises means for conveying the group of articles to a sealing means and means for folding the free ends of the tube which extend beyond both ends of the group of articles until said free ends are secured in place. In general, any means suitable for conveying the articles such as endless chains, star wheels and sprockets could be adapted to vertical operation and used in the present invention. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, however, endless chains 62 and 72 are employed. The chains 62 and 63 are driven by sprockets 64 and 65, respectively, which are, in turn, driven by reverser sprocket 66 and sprocket 67, respectively, which are themselves driven by sprockets 68 and 69, respectively. The paths of endless chains 62 and 63 are defined, in part, with idler pulleys 70 and 71 and 70' and 71', respectively, and, in part, by chain race plates 72 and 72', respectively. As in the case of chain race plates 45 and 45 in the grouping section and 55 and 55 in the separating section, chain race plates 72 and 72 are adjustably mounted so as to permit variation in the parameters of the path 35 and the penetration of the lugs into the stream of articles to be packaged. The endless chains 62 and 63 are also provided with lugs 7373 and 7474, respectively.

lt should be noted that the lugs 7373 and 7474 are spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the distance of separation employed in the grouping section and carry suitably shaped means 7373' and 74'-74' for holding the free-ends of the package film folded inwardly, as is best illustrated in 10. It should also be noted that while the chains 62 and 63 are disposed on opposite sides of the path of the articles to be packaged, they are disposed along opposite sides of the path than are the chains in either the grouping or separating section, and hence, lie substantially in a plane perpendicular to the planes defined by the chains in the other sections. As in the case with the lugs in the grouping section, the speed and spacing of the lugs 7373 and 7474 is synchronized such that for every lug 73 in a juxtaposition with the path of the articles to be packaged there is a corresponding lug 74 at the same elevation. Of particular significance at this point is the fact that the lugs 73 and 74 engage the tube and support the articles on the sides which have been previously cut by knives 60 and 60'. This, in turn, forces the free or cut ends 75-75 and 7575 which extend over the leading edge of the group of articles and free or cut ends 76-76 and 76'76' which extend over the trailing edge of said groups of articles inwardly thus folding said free ends into position for securing and holding said free ends in said position until they are secured. This is best illustrated in FIG. 10. To insure that the free ends 75-75 and 7676' are folded inwardly across the entire width of the package, it is advantageous to employ lugs, the width of which, as can be seen in FIG. 12, approach the width of the package.

With the free ends of the sides already cut firmly tucked into position, it is then convenient to cut the remaining sides of the tube 2. As in the case of the first cuts, this can be accomplished with a rotating knife or a rotating hot wire, either one or both of which can be fashioned in the manner previously described with respect to knives 60 and 60. It will be appreciated that the position of the cutting means will be synchronized with the movement of the conveying means in the grouping, separating and sealing sections such that the cuts are aligned with those previously made thereby completely severing the tube 2. This can be conveniently accomplished by driving the knives with the same means as used to drive the chains in the separating section such as with chains 77 and 77 Depending principally upon the method used to seal the free ends in place and to some extent the packaging material employed, it may be necessary to use a means to fold the free ends created by the cuts with knives 78 and 78 inwardly and to hold these free ends in place until sealed. This has not, however, been found necessary when the sealing is accomplished by shrinking of the packaging material.

Any of the means known in the prior art for securing the free ends of a package may be adapted to the present invention. For example, an adhesive could be applied to the free ends prior to folding same inwardly to thereby secure said free ends either to the goods being packaged or to themselves. Similarly, the free ends could be secured by heat sealing or with tape or seals after said free ends have been folded inwardly. The tightest and most satisfactory package will, however, be obtained when the articles are packaged in a shrinkable film and said film is shrunk with the free ends folded inwardly in a manner previously described. There are, of course, several means known in the prior art for effecting the shrinking of a film and a large number of these could be adopted for use in the present invention. For example, the heat shrink tunnel 4 which is shown in phantom in FIGS. 2 and 3, could consist of a suitably insulated closed structure having inlet and outlet means for the passage of heated air or other gaseous material therethrough or the shrink tunnel 4 could comprise a suitably insulated closure 79, as shown in FIG. 48, with resistant heating elements 80-80 strategically positioned about the periphery of the package. The latter system in which heat is transferred to the film principally through radiation is preferred in the present invention principally because of its simpler structure and mode of operation and because it is deemed best suited for use in combination with the conveying means and means for folding the free ends of the tube presently contemplated. In this regard, it should be noted that the shrink tunnel is open at the top so as to permit chains 62 and 63 to extend into said tunnel thereby allowing a package held between successive lugs 7373 and 7474 to move downwardly through the heated portion of said tunnel. lt will be appreciated that the amount of heat required to shrink a film varies with the film itself and that some of said films could not, practically, be completely shrunk, especially when the apparatus of the present invention is operated at high speeds. For this reason, it is within the scope of the present invention to add additional shrinking tunnels as necessary. It should be noted, however, that it is essential to the present invention that sufficient shrinking be effected with a vertically disposed shrinking tunnel 4 to render the package prepared from a shrink film self-supporting prior to changing its flight from vertical to horizontal. This would, in turn, alleviate the need for holding the free ends of the tube inwardly and thereby permit the location of such additional tunnels downstream and in a horizontal arrangement.

As has already been pointed out, it is important that the movement of the various moving components of the apparatus of the present invention be synchronized so as to facilitate a smooth transition of the articles to be packaged from one section to the next of said apparatus. As will be readily appreciated, the required synchronized movement can be accomplished with a virtually unlimited number of means. For example, the synchronized movement can be easily and conveniently accomplished through the use of a single motor in combination with either a series of chain and sprocket drives or a line shaft equipped with a series of differentials and clutch combinations. A suitable arrangement of chain and sprocket drives is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. Referring then to these figures, it can be seen that motor 81 drives pulleys 82 directly and pulley 83 through chain 84. Pulley 83, in turn, drives pulley 86 through shaft 85 which, in turn, drives pulley 52 through chain 87, the path of which chain is defined, in part by idler pulleys 88 and 88. Pulley 52 which is mounted on a common shaft 89 with pulleys 68, 69 and 90 in turn drives reverser 66 and pulleys 67 and 40 through chains 91, 92 and 93, respectively.

In operation, a continuous sheet of packaging material 3, preferably a shrink film, is fed from a roll 98 through a series of rollers 99-99 to the top of tube forming mandrel 15. The leading edge of packaging material 3 is then folded about feed chute 14 such that margins 100 and 100 overlap and the leading edge of said sheet is pulled through and below the tube forming mandrel 15. As can be seen in FIG. 9, the article feed chute 14 is secured in place with suitable means 141 above the tube forming mandrel 15 so as to avoid interference of the securing means with the feeding of the packaging material 3. As can best be seen in FIGS. 4A, and 6, continuous feeding of the sheet of packaging material 3 is facilitated by then folding said sheet over the sloping top edges 20, 21, 24, 25 and 28-28 of panels 22, 23, 26, 27 and 18-18, respectively, and then securing the folded sheet under guide bars 101 and 101. As can best be seen in FIG. 5, the sheet as thus folded extends across the full width of the back side of panels 17-17 and 19 and across the width of panels 17-17 on the front side thereof. At the intersection of panels 17-17 with side panels 22 and 23, the film 3 pivots about guide bars 101 and 101', and then extends forward along the outer sides of the side panels 22 and 23. The film again changes directions at the intersections of side panels 22 and 23 with front panels 26 and 27 and then extends inwardly along the outer sides of said front panels. As can best be seen in FIGS. 4A and 6, the margins 100 and 100' extend into gap 29 and overlap therein. As can be seen in FIG. 7, the margins 100 and 100' are held firmly in place with tension roller 17, and as can be seen in FIG. 9, the margins are heat sealed to thus form the tube 2 by the contacting of hot-wheel 161 therewith. With the sheet thus folded and secured, said sheet can then be pulled smoothly through the forming mandrel 15. It will, of course, be appreciated that the shape of the tube conforms to the inside periphery of tube forming mandrel 15.

With the packaging material 3 threaded through the tube former 15 and extending into the separating section, a stream of articles 1 is then fed to the apparatus through the article orientation chute 102. The purpose of the orientation chute is, of course, to orient the articles in a manner suitable for packaging with the apparatus of the present invention. In the embodiment illustrated, the articles to be packaged are conveyed to the orientation chute 102 with conventional equipment and in an upright position; ie., with the tops thereof extending upwardly. In the orientation chute, articles are rotated such that the normally vertical axes thereof are disposed horizontally with the tops of said articles extending toward the front of the packaging apparatus. The requisite change in orientation is conveniently accomplished with a ribbed chute or sleeve which twists gradually so as to provide a smooth flight of the articles therethrough and such a means is preferred. It should be noted, however, that any one of several methods could be devised and employed to feed the articles to the apparatus of the present invention in a manner suitable for packaging. Moreover, it should be noted that the specific orientation during packaging is not critical, and hence, that the articles could, if desired, be packaged while disposed in a normal, upright position. For the packaging of beverage containers in a two-by-three or two-by-four arrangement, however, it is convenient, and hence, preferred to dispose the articles with the normally vertical axes extending horizontally.

With the articles disposed in a manner suitable for packaging, the stream of articles 1 is allowed to travel downwardly aided by the action of gravity through the article feed chute l4 and into the interior of the previously formed tube 2, The articles then proceed along path 35, which is defined in part by the chain race plates associated with the conveying means in each section of the apparatus and in part by retaining guides 104-104 and 105-105, and are: grouped into a desired arrangement for packaging; separated into individual groups; and the packaging material finally secured about the individual groups. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, six groups of articles 608-613, each group consisting of six articles in a two-by-three arrangement are shown between the first set of corresponding lugs in the grouping section and the shrink tunnel. It should be noted, however, that the number of groups is not critical and will vary with the size of the apparatus and the particular grouping arrangement employed.

As can best be seen in FIG. 4A, the stream of articles being package 1 travels downwardly aided by the action of gravity through the article feed chute 14 until it contacts a first pair of corresponding lugs 41 and 42 in the uppermost portion of the grouping section. In this regard, it should be noted that the articles being packaged will travel downwardly over a broad range of angles and the apparatus of the present invention will be operative over this full range. The minimum operable angle is, of course, dependent upon the weight of the articles being packaged and the rate at which said articles are being packaged. In operation, the engagement of the first set of corresponding lugs 41 and 42 defines both the trailing edge of a first group of articles and the leading edge of the next succeeding group. As can best be seen in FIG. 8, the lugs 41 and 42 penetrate the stream of articles 1 with the weight of said articles resting thereon. This, in turn, forces the tube 2 against the articles and prevents movement of said tube relatively to the stream of articles, or stated somewhat differently, the engagement of lugs 41 and 42 with the stream of articles 1 forces the tube 2 to move downwardly at the same rate as the articles. This engagement also breaks the downward travel of the articles and slows their movement to a controlled rate. As has been previously noted, the movement of lugs 41-41 and 42- 42 can be controlled by controlling the movement of chains 36 and 37 either through the use of a drive mechanism or a variable drag. As can also be seen in FIG. 8, guides 103-103 prevent transverse movement of the articles thereby preventing such problems as chime-riding.

Referring once again to FIG. 4A and to FIG. 4B, pulleys 38 and 39 rotate such that the lugs 41-41 and 42-42 will move downwardly in that portion of the path of chains 36 and 37 which brings said lugs into a juxtaposition with the path 35. In this manner, as a first set of corresponding lugs 41 and 42 move downwardly, a second set of corresponding lugs 41 and 42 move into the path 35 and engage the stream of articles 1, thereby defining both the leading and trailing edges of an individual group and isolating such groups as 612 and 613 between successive sets of corresponding lugs.

As can best be seen in FIG. 4B, the groups which are isolated by successive corresponding sets of lugs 41-41 and 42-42 in the grouping section in effect drop or travel downwardly aided by gravity into the separating section until they contact the uppermost set of corresponding lugs 56 and 58 and 57 and 59 (not shown) in the separating section. Since the successive lugs 56-56, 57-57, 58-58 and 59-69 are separated by a greater distance than the successive lugs 41- 41 and 42-42, the successive groups become separated by an amount equal to the difference in these separations. As will be readily apparent, the lugs 56-56, 57-57, 58-58 and 59- 59 must be traveling at a greater speed than the lugs 41-41 and 42-42 so as to maintain the resolution of the groups during the separation step. Movement through the separating section is effected in substantially the'same manner as in the grouping section with the articles resting on a corresponding set of lugs 56-59 and moving downwardly thereon. As can best be seen in FIG. 11, the lugs 56-59 penetrate into the stream to afford the requisite support and force the tube 2 against the articles thereby facilitating downward movement of said tube with the articles. In operation, as the uppermost set of corresponding lugs moves downwardly, a second set of lugs will move into the path 35 thus isolating an individual group therebetween. As can be seen in FIG. 4B, three groups 60961l are isolated between the successive lugs on chains 4649, which groups are now separated by a definite distance. The rate or speed at which the lugs 56-59 move can be controlled by controlling the rate at which pulleys 50, 50', and 51' rotate. It will, of course, be appreciated that pulleys 50 and 51 rotate in a direction consistent with downward movement of the lugs 56-56 and 58-58, as described. Similarly, pulleys 50 and 51 will rotate in a direction consistent with downward movement of the lugs 57-57 and 59-59, though the direction is not shown in the figures.

Once the separation has been effected, it is then convenient to effect at least a partial cutting of the tube 2. This is best illustrated in FIG. where it can be seen that rotating knives 60 and 60' will contact the front and back sides of the tube 2 at the mid point between successive groups 610 and 611. With these sides of the tube having been cut, it is then convenient to transfer the support for the successive groups from lugs 56- 56, 57-57, 58-58 and 59-59 which engage the tube, and hence, support the articles being packaged on the uncut sides to lugs 73-73 and 74-74 which will engage the tube on the cut side, and hence, support the successive groups in a manner now permitting cutting of the remainder of the tube.

The manner in which the transfer is effected from the separating to the sealin g section is best illustrated in FIGS. 48 and 10. As can be seen in these Figures, the lugs 73-73 and 74-74 are separated by a distance equal to the separation of successive lugs 56-56, 57-57, 58-58 and 59-59. This, of course, enable the successive groups passing through the apparatus to remain separated by substantially the same distance. As can best be seen in FIG. 10, as a corresponding pair of lugs 73 and 74 penetrate the stream of articles being packaged, the leading edges 75 and 75', as well as the trailing edges 76 and 76 of the cut film, are folded inwardly and held securely in this position by said lugs. With the free ends thus held, rotating knives 78 and 78' will contact the tube on the uncut sides at the mid point between the successive groups thereby completing the cutting of said tube. With the tube fully cut in this manner, the free ends along the unsupported sides of the groups will tend to extend inwardly due to the force exerted by lugs 73-73 and 74-74, though not to the extent of the free ends which are held in place by said lugs.

With the tube now completely severed, the successive articles continue to move downwardly into the heated section of the shrink tunnel 4 and the tube is shrunk, said tube assuming the configuration in which it is held by successive lugs 73-73 and 74-74. Movement of the articles through the sealing section 9 is accomplished, generally, in the same manner as movement in the grouping section 7 and the separating section 8; ie., the articles are supported by lugs 73-73 and 74-74 and move downwardly thereon. The support is, however, provided on different sides of the sealing section than in either the grouping or separating sections. It will, of course, be appreciated that this is not essential to the present invention and that the requisite support could be provided on the same or different sides in all sections of the apparatus. Nonetheless, it is advantageous, and hence, preferred, to effect cutting of the tube on the unsupported sides. It follows that it is advantageous, and hence, preferred to support the articles on opposite sides in the separating and sealing sections and to effect cutting of the tube on the unsupported sides in these sections.

As can be seen in FIG. 12, the lugs 73-73 and 74-74, as well as the folding means 73'-73 and 74-73, carried by these lugs are of sufficient width to support both rows of articles and to effectively fold the cut or free ends of the packaging material inwardly across the full width of the tube 2. Obviously, if additional rows were being packaged, an increased width would be required. It will, of course, be appreciated that a plurality of conveying means such as endless chains carrying a plurality of lugs of a narrower width would provide substantially the same result. The rate or speed at which the lugs 73- 73 and 74-74 move downwardly should be equal to that of the lugs in the separating section and can be controlled by controlling the rotation of pulleys 64 and 65.

When the shrinking of the film has been completed at least to an extent that the package is self-supporting, it is permitted to travel downwardly from the bottom of the heat shrink tunnel 4 and onto conveyor 103. The package leaving the heat shrink tunnel will appear, generally, as the package 5 shown in FIG. 1. Additional shrinking, if required, could be accomplished along the line of conveyor 103. Moreover, the package 5 can be provided with carrying means such as finger holes, a handle or other suitable means, at any point after its discharge from the heat shrink tunnel 4.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tube forming section 6, the grouping section 7, the separating section 8, and the sealing section 9, will be vertically disposed one above the other and aligned such that the articles to be packaged can pass successively through the various sections in a straight path. Moreover, the apparatus will be fashioned so as to facilitate the packaging of two rows of articles in packages of either six or eight articles.

The tube forming mandrel 15 will be substantially as heretofore described with front panels 26 and 27 overlapping and offset a sufficient distance to enable the margins of the packaging material to overlap smoothly and without wrinkling. The top edges of both side panels 22 and 23 and the top edges of front panels 26 and 27 as well as the top edges of film support panels 18-18 will slope downwardly at substantially the same angle, preferably between 30 and 60, and most preferably at an angle of 45. The top edges of said panels, as well as the top edge of back panel 19, will, preferably, be fashioned from a material having a low coefficient of friction such as polytetrafluoroethylene or other polymeric materials. It will, of course, be appreciated that the entire tube forming mandrel 15 could be fashioned of such material or such material may be operably attached to the respective top edges.

The article feed chute 14 will be a closed structure fashioned from a thin material and will have an inside periphery corresponding substantially to the periphery of a cross-section of the stream of articles to be packaged. A separating plate 33 will extend throughout the article feed chute 14 and extend downwardly into at least the grouping section of the apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, this plate will be of a thickness substantially identical to the separation in the central portion of chimed cans when such chimes are touching. In this manner, the separating plate 33 will not give rise to a separation between the two rows of articles than would normally occur due to the chimes on such articles while at the same time preventing a merger of said two rows during the packaging operation.

In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention will be designed to package articles in a packaging material, the overlapping margins of which can be heat sealed and the apparatus will be equipped with a heat sealing means. In such an embodiment, the heat sealing means, which means will secure the overlapped margins after the formation of a tube, will be movably mounted such that when said apparatus is in operation a heated roller will contact the overlapped margins and when said apparatus is not operating the heated reel will move out of contact with said margins. In a most preferred embodiment, the heated roller will be rotatably mounted on an air cylinder which is energized during operation and deenergizing when the machine is shutdown or fails.

Endless selector chains will be used in the grouping section, the separating section and the sealing section. Within each of these sections, the chains disposed on opposite sides of the apparatus will have identical parameters and for each lug thereon there will be a corresponding lug disposed on the opposite chain at the same point in the chain path. Moreover, the endless chains in the grouping and separating sections will be disposed on the same sides of the apparatus whereas the endless chains in the sealing section will be disposed on the opposite sides of the apparatus from those on which the chains in the grouping and separating sections are disposed. Movement of the endless chains in the grouping and separating sections will be synchronized such that when a group of articles travels downwardly from the grouping section, it will contact a corresponding set of lugs in the separating section at or near the top of the separating section and without interference from the next successive set of corresponding lugs in the separating section. The movement of the lugs in the separating and sealing sections will, on the other hand, be synchronized such that support for successive groups will be transferred to the sealing section before the lowest corresponding set of lugs in the separating section moves out of the article path 35. It will, of course, be appreciated that such operation is essential to the maintenance of the separation created in the separating section. Moreover, such operation is essential to the proper positioning of the articles within the tube so as to afford substantially identical overlap of the free ends at each end of the package.

As has already been pointed out, the successive corresponding sets of lugs in the separating section will be separated by a greater distance than the successive corresponding sets of lugs in the grouping section. This increased separation gives rise to the separation between successive groups and also corresponds to the distance of downward travel between the grouping and separating sections. The successive sets of corresponding lugs in the separating and grouping sections are, on the other hand, substantially identical so as to maintain the requisite separation through the sealing section.

in a preferred embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention will also be designed for operation with a packaging material which will be subject to shrinking when heated and the apparatus of the present invention will be provided with a heat shrink tunnel. In a preferred embodiment, the heat shrink tunnel will comprise an insulated housing open at both top and bottom and will contain heating elements disposed about the periphery of the package as it moves downwardly through said heat shrink tunnel. In a preferred embodiment, the movement of all endless selector chains will be controlled either through the use of a single motor in combination with a series of pulley and chain drives or a line shaft or with a series of synchronized motors positioned at or near the drive sprockets. The same drive means will, of course, be used to control the movement of the tube cutting means and a portion of the tube will be cut with such means in the separating section with the remaining portion of said tube being cut in the sealing section.

Although the present invention has been described by reference to various embodiments thereof and illustrated by reference to a particularly preferred embodiment thereof, it will be readily apparent that the present invention lends itself to various modifications which will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the an. Moreover, it will be apparent that the apparatus of the present invention could be adapted for use with glass articles; however, it is best suited for use in the packaging of plastic and metal articles which would have little, if any, tendency to break as a result of the downward travel characteristic of the described apparatus. Accordingly, reference should be made solely to the appended claims to determine the scope of the present invention.

Having thus described and illustrated the present invention, what is claimed is:

1. A packaging apparatus for packaging a plurality of downwardly traveling objects, comprising:

a. a frame;

b. means, fixedly attached to an upper portion of said frame. for forming a continuous tube of packaging material around the downwardly traveling objects;

c. means fixedly attached to said frame and positioned below said forming means, for grouping pre-detemiined portions of the objects contained within said tube;

d. means fixedly attached to said frame and positioned below said grouping means, for separating the tube portion of the packaging material surrounding the grouped objects from the remainder of the continuous tube of packaging material; and

e. means, associated with the packaging apparatus, for tightly sealing the packaging material around the separated group of objects.

2. The packaging apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for forming a continuous tube of packaging material comprises a tube forming mandrel having a sloping top edge on at least three sides thereof.

3. The packaging apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said tube forming mandrel also comprises film support panels extended outwardly from the back side thereof, which film support panels also have sloping top edges.

4. The packaging apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein the sloping top edges of said film forming mandrel slope at an angle between about 30 and about 60.

5. The packaging apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the sloping top edges slope at an angle of 45.

6. The packaging apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the objects packaged thereby are permitted to travel downwardly aided by the action of gravity through the tubing forming means.

7. The packaging apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the objects packaged thereby are permitted to travel downwardly aided by the action of gravity from the grouping means to the separating means.

8. The packaging apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said grouping means comprises at least two endless selector chains disposed on separate sides of said apparatus, which chains carry lugs which are separated by a distance corresponding to the dimensions of at least one side of the package to be formed thereby.

9. The packaging apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said separating means comprises at least two endless chains disposed on opposite sides of said apparatus which chains carry lugs separated by a distance equal to the dimensions of one side of the package to be formed thereby plus the distance by which the successive groups of articles are separated.

10. The packaging apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said sealing section comprises at least two endless chains, which chains carry lugs which are separated by a distance equal to the length of one side of said package plus the distance by which successive groups are separated, said lugs carrying means suitable for folding the free ends of the package formed by said apparatus inwardly and for holding said free ends in position while said free ends are secured in place.

15 16 11. The packaging apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the downwardly vertically traveling objects contained said sealing means comprises a heat shrink tunnel fixedly atwithin said tube; tached to said frame and positioned below said separating 11 means, fi y attached to Said frame, n p itioned means. below said grouping means for separating the vertically 12. Avertical packaging apparatus for packagingaplurality downwardly r li g tube P r n rr nding the of objects traveling vertically downwardly into the apparatus, g p Objects from the remainder of the Vertically comprising: downwardly traveling continuous tube; and

a. aframe; e. means, associated with the packaging apparatus for b. means, fixedly attached to the upper portion of said tightly Sealing the Packaging material around the frame for forming a continuous tube of packaging materi- 1O Separated S PP hl l al around the objects, said tube traveling vertically The Packagmg apparatus as defined!" chum 12 where!" downwardly around the objects; the Sealing means comprises a heat shrink tunnel positioned c. means, fixedly attached to said frame and positioned below Sald separating means below said tube forming means, for grouping a portion of 15 

1. A packaging apparatus for packaging a plurality of downwardly traveling objects, comprising: a. a frame; b. means, fixedly attached to an upper portion of said frame, for forming a continuous tube of packaging material around the downwardly traveling objects; c. means fixedly attached to said frame and positioned below said forming means, for grouping pre-determined portions of the objects contained within said tube; d. means fixedly attached to said frame and positioned below said grouping means, for separating the tube portion of the packaging material surrounding the grouped objects from the remainder of the continuous tube of packaging material; and e. means, associated with the packaging apparatus, for tightly sealing the packaging material around the separated group of objects.
 2. The packaging apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for forming a continuous tube of packaging material comprises a tube forming mandrel having a sloping top edge on at least three sides thereof.
 3. The packaging apparatus as defined in cLaim 2 wherein said tube forming mandrel also comprises film support panels extended outwardly from the back side thereof, which film support panels also have sloping top edges.
 4. The packaging apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein the sloping top edges of said film forming mandrel slope at an angle between about 30* and about 60*.
 5. The packaging apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the sloping top edges slope at an angle of 45*.
 6. The packaging apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the objects packaged thereby are permitted to travel downwardly aided by the action of gravity through the tubing forming means.
 7. The packaging apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the objects packaged thereby are permitted to travel downwardly aided by the action of gravity from the grouping means to the separating means.
 8. The packaging apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said grouping means comprises at least two endless selector chains disposed on separate sides of said apparatus, which chains carry lugs which are separated by a distance corresponding to the dimensions of at least one side of the package to be formed thereby.
 9. The packaging apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said separating means comprises at least two endless chains disposed on opposite sides of said apparatus which chains carry lugs separated by a distance equal to the dimensions of one side of the package to be formed thereby plus the distance by which the successive groups of articles are separated.
 10. The packaging apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said sealing section comprises at least two endless chains, which chains carry lugs which are separated by a distance equal to the length of one side of said package plus the distance by which successive groups are separated, said lugs carrying means suitable for folding the free ends of the package formed by said apparatus inwardly and for holding said free ends in position while said free ends are secured in place.
 11. The packaging apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said sealing means comprises a heat shrink tunnel fixedly attached to said frame and positioned below said separating means.
 12. A vertical packaging apparatus for packaging a plurality of objects traveling vertically downwardly into the apparatus, comprising: a. a frame; b. means, fixedly attached to the upper portion of said frame for forming a continuous tube of packaging material around the objects, said tube traveling vertically downwardly around the objects; c. means, fixedly attached to said frame and positioned below said tube forming means, for grouping a portion of the downwardly vertically traveling objects contained within said tube; d. means, fixedly attached to said frame, and positioned below said grouping means for separating the vertically downwardly traveling tube portion surrounding the grouped objects from the remainder of the vertically downwardly traveling continuous tube; and e. means, associated with the packaging apparatus for tightly sealing the packaging material around the separated group of objects.
 13. The packaging apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein the sealing means comprises a heat shrink tunnel positioned below said separating means. 